Armaan Kohli, former Bigg Boss contestant and Bollywood actor, has been booked by Mumbai’s Santacruz police for allegedly physically assaulting his girlfriend Neeru Randhawa. The victim, who accused the actor of assault, has been hospitalised in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital.

According to police, the 46-year-old has been accused by his live-in partner, a model, of beating her up after an argument broke out between the two.

“We have registered a case after the woman gave us a statement on Sunday night. There was an argument between the two over some monetary issue after which the complainant claims the actor assaulted her,” said an officer.

Police on Sunday night received an EPR call from a hospital. After police reached the hospital, they saw Neeru receiving treatment for her injuries. “She had also received head injuries for which she had gone to the hospital. We recorded her statement after which it was clear that Kohli had allegedly assaulted her post an argument,” said another officer. The woman alleged they were discussing about money, when Kohli lost his temper and started hitting her. After a case was registered with the police, a team was formed to investigate into the matter and the woman’s statement was recorded.

Recounting the horror that unfolded, Neeru spoke to BT from the hospital. She said, “The argument started on a frivolous matter. I manage Armaan’s villa in Goa, which is often rented out, and had made a booking for a client. However, the client had made the payment to the villa staff and when Armaan asked me about the money, I told him that I will ask the staff to transfer it. Suddenly, he started verbally abusing me. Before I realised what was happening, he caught me by my hair and banged my head against the floor. I begged him to allow me to go to the hospital, promising that I wouldn’t approach the police. The wound was so deep that I had to undergo a surgery. The doctor told me that the scar would be visible even after the surgery, as the assault has damaged my skin tissues. Armaan has been sending me text messages since Sunday, asking me to come back home, and he is even promising to marry me right away, but I have had enough!”

“This is not the first time he has physically abused me”

According to Neeru, she has been assaulted by him before. She says, “He had assaulted me in February this year, and nearly broke my nose. This relationship has been a huge mistake, but I continued to give him chances despite being warned by friends and family. In fact, I had called time on the relationship in September last year, and left for Dubai. I got a job and was living there peacefully. However, three months later, Armaan came to take me back home. When I told him that I didn’t want to get back to the vicious circle, he begged and pleaded with me and said that he would change. He told me that he needs me as I have made him a better person and taken care of his parents and brother. I left everything and returned to India with him.”

A case has been registered under sections 323, 326, 504 and 506.

Armaan and his girlfriend were said to be in a live-in relationship since 2015. They met through a common friend and soon started dating.